“The Corn Refiners Association is deeply concerned with today’s Senate vote against a nationally uniform GMO labeling bill” said CRA CEO and President John Bode. “This compromise bill would have offered a clear path forward on the labeling issue and avoid a costly state by state patchwork of laws.”

The compromise legislation, which failed to receive cloture by a vote of 48-49, called for at least 70% of food products participating in the voluntary SmartLabel program to disclose the presence of GMO’s after two years, or the US Department of Agriculture would be permitted to require mandatory GMO labeling.

“Vermont’s labeling law will go into effect on July 1 and we are running out of options. Without Senate action, American families will face $1,050 in increased grocery bills each year. We urge the Senate to continue to work towards a meaningful national solution before the Vermont law goes into effect.”

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.